Senior Living Is Quietly Heating Up

It’s not flashy. It’s not fast. But senior living is getting stronger every month—and July’s numbers are the latest proof.

Brookdale just posted its June occupancy report, and it’s telling. Same-community occupancy now sits at 82.8%, with systemwide rates trending up for the 17th straight quarter. That’s not just recovery. That’s momentum.

Investors are noticing. A new CBRE survey found most senior living buyers expect rent growth and cap rate compression over the next 12 months. And while big institutional money is still cautious, regional players are getting aggressive—especially in states with strong Medicaid waivers or growing 75+ populations.

But the real shift is happening under the radar. Infill projects with flexible care licenses, mid-market communities with fewer amenities but better staffing ratios, and even cohousing pilots are all gaining traction. Cohousing in particular—long a staple in Denmark—is showing early promise here in the US. It’s less about flash, more about community, and it’s something we’ll be keeping an eye on.

On the ground, we’re seeing deals move fastest when appraisals take a hard look at tenant credit, real capex, and market-rate labor assumptions. Because in senior living, value isn’t just the building—it’s the operator’s ability to keep it full, staffed, and compliant.

If you’re modeling a new build, looking to value a stabilized asset, or need help pressure-testing assumptions, now’s the time to take a closer look.

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